If I got to choose a coast I got to choose the East. I live out here, so don't go there.
CANADIENS vs RANGERS – Habs in 6
The Rangers are arguably the better team on paper, and they have loads of depth. (Zuccarello, Kreider, Nash, etc.) But the reason I’m going with Montreal is that these are the NHL Playoffs and goalies are known for stealing series’. So I have elected to go with the best goaltender in the world to steal this series. When he’s zoned in, there is simply no one better. It should be a tight back and forth series, but Carey should be able pave the way with the seasoned big game player that Shea Weber is, right by his side.
CAPITALS vs LEAFS – Caps in 5
Sadly, I can’t say this series will be as close as the aforementioned Habs – Rangers one. The Capitals are just a better team in every aspect. Goaltending, Forward Depth, Defence, Playoff Experience, etc. If the Leafs manage to make this a series then that is a huge feat in it’s own right. Hopefully the young guns acclimatize to the postseason smoothly.
SENATORS vs BRUINS – Bruins in 7
This is an interesting matchup as the Bruins are a much better team on paper, but the Sens have swept the season series. The Bruins are a dangerous team but they don’t have much depth. Beyond Marchand, Pastrnak, Krejci and Bergeron, their offence is pretty dry. The Senators on the other hand have plenty of depth but no real game changers other than Karlsson, who is currently battling an ankle injury. That’s not good news for someone who is expected to play at least 30 minutes a game. This should be the tightest series in the entire 1st round – I’ll ultimately give the Bruins the win in 7 games because of their experience.
PENGUINS vs BLUE JACKETS – Pens in 6
I’m actually being pretty generous to the Blue Jackets. The Penguins could easily sweep them but Sergei Bobrovsky is likely going to win the Vezina this season, so something has to be said for that. No one expected Columbus to be here in the postseason so they are essentially playing with house money – just don’t tell John Tortorella that fact. Pens take this one, but I’ll give a game or 2 to the Jackets at home.